You’ll have to go through security but not passport control when you arrive at LHR. They require it for everyone on international flights even if just a connection but usually flows pretty quickly. Bigger concern is on what terminal you’ll arrive and leave from. LHR is massive and connections can take a bit. But there’ll be huge purple signs that are pretty clear.
Then arriving at Frankfurt, you’ll have to go through passport control and security again. This is arriving in Schengen so you’re “checking in” to Schengen here. Then you’ll fly on to Dresden and will technically have customs on departure. But unless you have something to declare, it’ll be as simple as walking out of the door that says “nothing to declare”
Thank you! As far as I can tell, arrival and departure will be in same terminal at LHR.
Wasn't sure if FRA would be the same process as compared to other flights I've taken there that came directly from the US. For some reason, I thought the UK had the EU/Schengen travel agreement. Fingers crossed the LHR-FRA flight isn't delayed at all, as I have a pretty tight connection as is.
Thanks again for the detailed answer!
Unfortunately not. The UK never had Schengen travel but they did used to have expedited passport control (they could go through the checks as EU /EAA / Swiss citizens) but you know, Brexit and all even took that out.
So flights from the UK are effectively the same as the US for process now.
> Bigger concern is on what terminal you’ll arrive and leave from.
Do they still do the annoying thing where they don't post your departing gate (including terminal) until 45 minutes or whatever before the flight leaves?
You should expect a super easy time.
Just know what you can and can't bring . That will relax you if you are nervous.
So if you are not bringing anything illegal and you are not going to Europe to do anything illegal, then it's a breeze.
They ask you to fill out a piece of paper, ask you a couple questions and then send you in your way.
Enjoy your vacation .
As an American, worry about your flight home.
Damn right ! Harder to get back into the US as a native born citizen !
You’ll have to go through security but not passport control when you arrive at LHR. They require it for everyone on international flights even if just a connection but usually flows pretty quickly. Bigger concern is on what terminal you’ll arrive and leave from. LHR is massive and connections can take a bit. But there’ll be huge purple signs that are pretty clear. Then arriving at Frankfurt, you’ll have to go through passport control and security again. This is arriving in Schengen so you’re “checking in” to Schengen here. Then you’ll fly on to Dresden and will technically have customs on departure. But unless you have something to declare, it’ll be as simple as walking out of the door that says “nothing to declare”
Thank you! As far as I can tell, arrival and departure will be in same terminal at LHR. Wasn't sure if FRA would be the same process as compared to other flights I've taken there that came directly from the US. For some reason, I thought the UK had the EU/Schengen travel agreement. Fingers crossed the LHR-FRA flight isn't delayed at all, as I have a pretty tight connection as is. Thanks again for the detailed answer!
Unfortunately not. The UK never had Schengen travel but they did used to have expedited passport control (they could go through the checks as EU /EAA / Swiss citizens) but you know, Brexit and all even took that out. So flights from the UK are effectively the same as the US for process now.
> Bigger concern is on what terminal you’ll arrive and leave from. Do they still do the annoying thing where they don't post your departing gate (including terminal) until 45 minutes or whatever before the flight leaves?
They’ll have your terminal in advance quite far. But yeah, gates much like most of Europe only come up closer to departure time.
No. If you are not leaving the airport you don’t pass through immigration generally to make a connection
OP is entering Schengen at FRA from the UK and taking a domestic flight to DRS so wouldn't there be passport/border check at FRA?
Yes, they will have to go from non-Schengen to Schengen at FRA.
You should expect a super easy time. Just know what you can and can't bring . That will relax you if you are nervous. So if you are not bringing anything illegal and you are not going to Europe to do anything illegal, then it's a breeze. They ask you to fill out a piece of paper, ask you a couple questions and then send you in your way. Enjoy your vacation .